Digger is absurdly magnificent and one of the must-see films of this year, best appreciated on the biggest screen possible.
All preconceptions audiences may have of Digger are probably wrong. Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (who also previously brought us Birdman, The Revenant, and Bardo) has delivered a multilayered story that is ambitious and astonishing, backed by remarkable performances by Tom Cruise and John Goodman making Digger one of the most extraordinary films of 2026.
Seemingly beginning in the bedroom of billionaire oil magnate Digger Rockwell (Tom Cruise) in his opulent grand manor, Digger deals with his very old and sick cat, when he receives news that there is trouble at one of his oil mining sites in Greenland but he tries to ignore the warning about the potential environmental harm this trouble could cause. However, Digger soon after is informed by his chief scientist Ganesh (Riz Ahmed) that there has been an explosion at the site which has caused a massive ice shelf to break away from Greenland and is potentially moving towards Norway and if it hits land will cause devastating flooding to Europe.
After arguing with his half-sister and business partner Emma (Sandra Hüller) about the situation, Digger must front a meeting with the US President Compson (John Goodman), the Vice President Eddie (Michael Stuhlbarg) and all of their high level military and other advisers. But as the film develops and the film’s amazing twists begin, is all as it seems?
Inarritu is joined by screenwriters Sabina Berman, Alexander Dinelaris Jr. (who co-wrote Birdman and The Revenant) and Nicolás Giacobone (also a co-writer of Birdman) in producing an incredible story that turns and adds layers as the film progresses. The script is also at times very funny. Inarritu’s production is almost Wes Andersen-like but is in total context with the story.
Cruise is buried in prosthetic makeup (again completely in context with the story) but delivers a magnificent performance and is particularly imposing in a couple of scenes which will probably get him many award nominations. Goodman also delivers a spectacular performance as the President. Ahmed and Stuhlbarg are impressive as well along with the rest of the cast.
Digger is absurdly magnificent and one of the must-see films of this year, best appreciated on the biggest screen possible.
Reviewed by Rob McKinnon
Rating 5 out of 5
Distributor: Warner Bros.
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